Gateway could connect Galloway to Cumbria

Lorna Robertson

Published:11:55Wednesday 09 December 2015

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Plans have been drawn up for a multi-million pound tidal energy project that would directly connect Galloway to Cumbria.

The plan forms part of an estimated £12 billion project by North West Energy Squared (NWE2) who have proposed the creation of six ‘tidal gateways’ to cross estuaries throughout the north west of England.

The organisation claim that the gateways would generate power, create jobs and improve transport links for everyone as they would run dual carriageway roads on top of the gateways,

The gateway would connect Galloway to Workington on the west-coast of Cumbria, crossing the Solway Firth.

To harness the power of the tide, turbines would be built into the crossing from Workington to near Castle Douglas that would be visable from shore.

Chairman Alan Torevell said the whole project could generate enough affordable green energy to power more than five million homes for 120 years.

He added: “Solway is important, because it is the biggest potential producer of electricity, perhaps 10million MWh p.a, enough for over 2 million homes.

“It should also provide about 8,000 jobs , half on each side of the estuary, and by improving connectivity increase permanent economic activity in two areas, north Cumbria and south west Scotland.

“This should be further improved by greater access to Cairnryan , a major route for goods, and other traffic to Northern Ireland.”

NWE2 claim that the whole project will create around 20,000 construction jobs as well as high value jobs particularly in engineering.

They have estimated that by majorly improving road communications along the north west coast, there will be a significant rise in tourism and leisure opportunities.

There will also be a gross value of over £1.25 billion added to the local and Uk economies.

As a result of the tidal gateways there is potential to help mitigate against future storm surges and flooding.